Labor Day Weekend 2009

A few updated pictures of our last free relaxing weekend before beginning work in NJ. We decided to head to the beach and relax at a park nearby that we'd never visited before. The weather for the beach was perfect. We got a little much sun despite high SPF. It got cooler over the next few days... guess the summer is ending.

The move to NJ

We've been terrible about posting ... I KNOW. It's been a long week and a half or so. We packed up from Michigan, took boards in Chicago after leaving Samantha in the trusted company of Larry and Naomi, then drove for 2 days to get to NJ. We got to the house in NJ and have been frantically unpacking and getting the place together. We had a couple recent relaxing days with trip to the park and walk in the neighborhood.

These are just some pictures from the move.

One picture with Samantha playing doctor. Ginger just being EXHAUSTED!

Package arrived

GG prepared me for a package that was set to arrive any day. To our surprise, today, a VERY rainy day we got our package. Made a great time opening and trying on clothes. Samatha loved her outfit but wanted to try on mommy's new nightgown. :) I do think she looks adorable. The look of excitement about the whole experience was priceless. THANK YOU GG!

Samantha loved posing for the camera and wanted to see each picture. Then... she wanted to take a picture of Ginger. Pretty good if I do say so myself. She's going to be another one in the family that may cut off heads in pictures in the future. ;)

Summer fun

Lots has been going on since our last posting. We had a successful 1,200 mile r/t drive to/from southern New Jersey last month. Along the way we saw old friends from medical school and met their new children as well. Samantha was a trooper for the long road trip. We secured housing and also took care of some paperwork/interviews with our respective employers. As an added treat my parents got to spend time with Samantha as well.

Samantha also had fun at the annual Salute to America-Greenfield Village on July 4th, with excellent fireworks concluding a live performance from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. We all had fun picnicing on the grass with Larry & Naomi.

The rest of our summer will be spent locally, packing up our home and planning our move to Cherry Hill, NJ the last week of August. We will miss those we leave behind here in Michigan, and look forward to starting a new chapter in our lives.

Judith and Sam's Wedding

We attended a lovely wedding for our cousin Judith this weekend. This was Samantha's first wedding that she could roam around a little bit (her second wedding ... David/Gretchen's was first a year ago today). We had a great time. Samantha really did great considering two very long days. There was lots of fun, food, and .... dancing. A few pictures. We'll try to get the videos up later when we can figure out how to edit all the times I had the camera down trying to chase Samantha.

Memorial Day

Relaxing dinner on the deck. Samantha was very into posing with Ginger. Some cute shots.

Updates w/Samantha

So it's been a while since daddy made a posting (laziness, lack of time, whatever you want to call it). Our little one is not so litte anymore, 17+ months and fully walking on her own from room to room. We've now encountered poor sleeping habits once again, as she's finding it quite difficult to fall asleep on her own and sleep through the night. So we're trying to get through it as best as possible. Amazing how little children can cry for almost 2 hours non-stop!

Anyways, we've been taking some day trips here and there; last month we went to Guernsy Farms (local dairy farm) run by some Michiganders. Yummy samples of ice cream, chocolates, and the like. Samantha approved, of course.

Two of Samantha's favorite activties are eating (of course), and bathtime. Mommy whipped up some delicious tuna mac one day which she inhaled. Getting in the water is no longer fearful (thank g-d). Now that we started swim lessons it's become more enjoyable each time.

More videos

Samantha has a new love ... Barney. She can be doing almost anything else with anybody and she wants to switch gears and go into the office to watch Barney at the Farm. It is not like we make a habit of this but it is something we do in EMERGENCY situtations. She's glued for at least 30 minutes which gives us a chance to catch up on ... well...

Farmington Hills Library

One of our favorite weekend activities these days is a playgroup time called Musical Movement for 1s and 2s. It is a fun developmental learning hour with songs and dancing. Samantha is all over it. The last time we went a bunch of other mommies, dadies and babies we knew also were there. Lots of fun each time.

We are having so much fun watching Samantha grow and experience new things. Even better is when she remembers having fun doing an activity and looks forward to doing it again!

We're walking...

Very few parents are not shocked and amazed at their children's first steps. We are no exception. Samantha has been threatening to walk over the past few weeks with a few steps here and there. Over the last few days, though, she has been doing increasingly more on her own and is actually seemingly prefering to walk as opposed to crawling or scooting along on her bottom. This is shocking and scaring the heck out of us. We're constantly trying to make sure she is not falling or at least that we are close-by when she does. We finally remembered to take out the camera and get a little bit on film.
Samantha is 16 months and really starting to enjoy her world. She mimics books and uses a few words here and there. She is very opinionated and not afraid to tell you if she is unhappy or would rather do something another way. She is a little angel.

Passover 2009

This year we had Samantha as an active sedar participant. We were at Larry and Naomi's house for both sedars. The first night was family and relaxation with all the kids. Breaking in, if you will, everybody for the more "formal" sedar the second night. Samantha was very excited about the whole experience... especially the food. :) Naomi and Larry went to great lengths to make these sedars more perfect than even year's past. Bravo!

Some of the best times

Just relaxing and trying to update the blog. I know that we've been delinquent. I took some great Sunday pictures around the house but am having trouble with the SD card and uploading them. These are some of the non Xrated getting ready for bath that I was able to put up. She had even more fun in person. Ginger just had to get into the action.

Samanth's New Spot

Samantha identified her new sitting/hiding spot. After finishing up with dishes, I found her seated on the front foyer table where until now we have placed our "to read" journals. She got herself seated on the shelf and went to town. She even gave Ginger a few to look at. :)

Not high quality

The walking... very high quality. The film making at night with poor lighting... not great.

Our trip to NY and back

We just had a much needed long weekend in NY to visit Justin's family. We had a great time and can't wait to get back to see everybody again soon. Just a few pictures to share.